11 February 2013

Jesus House to raise a generation of entrepreneurs

Leading London mega-church Jesus House aims to train up a new generation of young entrepreneurs in the London Borough of Barnet when it launches a new social enterprise called The Barnet Youth Business Incubator (BaYBI) on Thursday.

Among the special guests expected at the launch are Lord Green, a government minister in the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, Caroline Marsh, a property magnate and philanthropist and Baroness Elizabeth Berridge of the Vale of Catmose.

Jesus House, a member of the Evangelical Alliance, has joined forces with youth-led charity Elevation Networks and Barnet Council to set up BayBI, which will seek to reach young adults, aged between 16-24, who want to run their own business.

The target audience for BaYBI will include unemployed graduates, as well as young people on the fringes of society and Neets (those not in education, employment or training).

Ayo Adedoyin, head of community at Jesus House, is looking forward to launching BaYBI.

He said: "Jesus House exists to make a positive difference in people's lives and the BaYBI project is one way in which we can do this. It's our hope that the BaYBI will enable a generation of young people to fully develop their God-given talents, fulfil their potential and make a valuable contribution to society."

He continued: "Through partnering with Elevation Networks, and Barnet Council I believe we'll achieve our goal in helping young adults in the Borough of Barnet to become successful entrepreneurs and hopefully create employment for other young people."

The range of services BaYBI will provide include helping clients register a business, open a business bank account as well as provide training on all aspects of running a business such as PR and marketing, finding suppliers and assigning business mentors to people who sign up to the scheme.

Kaio de Sousa, 22, will serve as the BaYBI incubator manager. He said: "We have already lined up budding entrepreneurs wanting to set up various businesses which includes a web design consultancy, a music studio, a hair dressing saloon, an employment agency and a leaflet distribution company – this list is set to grow once we launch and start working with more young people."

The BaYBI initiative will be based in north Finchley and it is hoped that up to 100 young people will sign up for the training and mentorship programme during its first year of operation and that at least 20 NEETS will have set up their own businesses.